Myanmar rebels seize rare-earth mining hubs, threatening supply chains

World's 3rd-largest producer faces disruption to exports to neighboring China

20241105N Myanmar Kachin army

The Kachin Independence Army has taken control of several mining hubs for rare-earth metals in Myanmar. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

BANGKOK/YANGON -- Armed rebels are taking control of key rare-earth mining areas in Myanmar, a development that threatens to disrupt supply chains for electric vehicles and other products that pass through China.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) had wrested control of Chipwi and Tsawlaw, both critical mining hubs, from the military regime's Border Guard Force Battalion by early November.

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